GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
270 Driving and Operating
Never attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches. Only use
frame-mounted hitches that do not
attach to the bumper.
Hitch Cover
To remove the hitch cover:1. Remove two fasteners (2).
2. Pull the bottom edge of the cover rearward.
3. Disengage the cover at the upper attachments (1) and
remove. Consider using mechanical sway
controls with any trailer. Ask a
trailering professional about sway
controls or refer to the trailer
manufacturer's recommendations
and instructions.
Tires
.
Do not tow a trailer while using a
compact spare tire on the
vehicle.
. Tires must be properly inflated to
support loads while towing a
trailer. See Tires0314 for
instructions on proper tire
inflation.
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the
vehicle and the trailer, and attach
the chains to the holes on the trailer
hitch platform. Instructions about
safety chains may be provided by
the hitch manufacturer or by the
trailer manufacturer.
Cross the safety chains under the
tongue of the trailer to help prevent
the tongue from contacting the road
if it becomes separated from the hitch. Always leave just enough
slack so the combination can turn.
Never allow safety chains to drag on
the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Loaded trailers over 450 kg
(1,000 lb) must be equipped with
brake systems and with brakes for
each axle. Trailer braking equipment
conforming to Canadian Standards
Association (CSA) requirement
CAN3-D313, or its equivalent, is
recommended.
State or local regulations may
require trailers to have their own
braking system if the loaded weight
of the trailer exceeds certain
minimums that can vary from state
to state. Read and follow the
instructions for the trailer brakes so
they are installed, adjusted, and
maintained properly. Never attempt
to tap into your vehicle's hydraulic
brake system. If you do, both the
vehicle anti-lock brakes and the
trailer brakes may not function,
which could result in a crash.
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
Driving and Operating 271
Trailer Lamps
Always check all trailer lamps are
working at the beginning of each
trip, and periodically on longer trips.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
When properly connected, the trailer
turn signals will illuminate to indicate
the vehicle is turning, changing
lanes, or stopping. When towing a
trailer, the arrows on the instrument
cluster will illuminate even if the
trailer is not properly connected or
the bulbs are burned out.
Trailer Tires
Special Trailer (ST) tires differ from
vehicle tires. Trailer tires are
designed with stiff sidewalls to help
prevent sway and to support heavy
loads. These features can make it
difficult to determine if the trailer tire
pressures are low only based on a
visual inspection.Always check all trailer tire
pressures before each trip when the
tires are cool. Low trailer tire
pressure is a leading cause of trailer
tire blow-outs.
Trailer tires deteriorate over time.
The trailer tire sidewall will show the
week and year the tire was
manufactured. Many trailer tire
manufacturers recommend
replacing tires more than six
years old.
Overloading is another leading
cause of trailer tire blow-outs. Never
load your trailer with more weight
than the tires are designed to
support. The load rating is located
on the trailer tire sidewall.
Always know the maximum speed
rating for the trailer tires before
driving. This may be significantly
lower than the vehicle tire speed
rating. The speed rating may be on
the trailer tire sidewall. If the speed
rating is not shown, the default
trailer tire speed rating is 105 km/h
(65 mph).
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service and
Emission Inspection/Maintenance
testing. See
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light) 0115.
A device connected to the DLC —
such as an aftermarket fleet or
driver-behavior tracking device —
may interfere with vehicle
systems. This could affect vehicle
operation and cause a crash.
Such devices may also access
information stored in the vehicle’s
systems.
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/5/19
354 Vehicle Care
Here are some important things to
consider before recreational vehicle
towing:
.Before towing the vehicle,
become familiar with the local
laws that apply to recreational
vehicle towing. These laws may
vary by region.
. The towing capacity of the
towing vehicle. Be sure to read
the tow vehicle manufacturer's
recommendations.
. How far the vehicle will be
towed. Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how
long they can tow.
. The proper towing equipment.
See your dealer or trailering
professional for additional advice
and equipment
recommendations.
. If the vehicle is ready to be
towed. Just as preparing the
vehicle for a long trip, make sure
the vehicle is prepared to be
towed.Dinghy Towing
Caution
If the vehicle is towed with all four
wheels on the ground, the
drivetrain components could be
damaged. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Do not tow the vehicle
with all four wheels on the
ground.
The vehicle was not designed to be
towed with all four wheels on the
ground. The vehicle may be towed
using a platform trailer with all four
wheels off the ground. Some
vehicles may be dolly towed. See
the following information on dolly
towing.
Dolly Towing (All-Wheel-Drive
Vehicles)
All-wheel-drive vehicles cannot be
towed with two wheels on the
ground. To properly tow these
vehicles, they should be placed on
a platform trailer with all four wheels
off of the ground.
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
Service and Maintenance 367
The Tire Rotation and Required
Services are the responsibility of the
vehicle owner. It is recommended to
have your dealer perform these
services every 12 000 km/7,500 mi.
Proper vehicle maintenance helps to
keep the vehicle in good working
condition, improves fuel economy,
and reduces vehicle emissions.
Because of the way people use
vehicles, maintenance needs vary.
There may need to be more
frequent checks and services. The
Additional Required Services -
Normal are for vehicles that:
.Carry passengers and cargo
within recommended limits on
the Tire and Loading Information
label. See Vehicle Load Limits
0 175.
. Are driven on reasonable road
surfaces within legal driving
limits.
. Use the recommended fuel. See
Recommended Fuel (LYX - 1.5L
L4 Turbo Engine) 0248 or
Recommended Fuel (LTG - 2.0L
L4 Turbo Engine) 0249. Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Normal chart.
The Additional Required Services -
Severe are for vehicles that are:
.
Mainly driven in heavy city traffic
in hot weather.
. Mainly driven in hilly or
mountainous terrain.
. Frequently towing a trailer.
. Used for high speed or
competitive driving.
. Used for taxi, police, or delivery
service.
Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Severe chart.{Warning
Performing maintenance work can
be dangerous and can cause
serious injury. Perform
maintenance work only if the
required information, proper tools,
and equipment are available.
If they are not, see your dealer to
have a trained technician do the
work. See Doing Your Own
Service Work 0275.
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
Service and Maintenance 371
Footnotes—Maintenance
Schedule Additional Required
Services - Normal
(1) Or every two years, whichever
comes first. More frequent
passenger compartment air filter
replacement may be needed if
driving in areas with heavy traffic,
poor air quality, high dust levels,
or environmental allergens.
Passenger compartment air filter
replacement may also be needed if
there is reduced airflow, window
fogging, or odors. Your GM dealer
can help determine when to replace
the filter.
(2) Visually check all fuel and vapor
lines and hoses for proper
attachment, connection, routing, and
condition.
(3) Or as indicated by the Driver
Information Center (DIC) or
two years whichever comes first.
The fuel filter may need to be
replaced more often based on
biodiesel usage, driving in climates
with severe dust, off-road driving,
or towing a trailer for extended
periods. (4)
Or every four years, whichever
comes first. If driving in dusty
conditions, inspect the filter at each
oil change or more often as needed.
See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0288.
(5) Do not directly power wash the
transfer case and/or front/rear axle
output seals. High pressure water
can overcome the seals and
contaminate the transfer case fluid.
Contaminated fluid will decrease the
life of the transfer case and/or axles
and should be replaced.
(6) Or every five years, whichever
comes first. See Cooling System
0 290.
(7) Or every 10 years, whichever
comes first. Inspect for fraying,
excessive cracking, or damage;
replace, if needed.
(8) Replace brake fluid every five
years. See Brake Fluid 0297.
(9) Or every 12 months, whichever
comes first. See Wiper Blade
Replacement 0300.
(10) Or every 10 years, whichever
comes first. See Gas Strut(s)0302. (11)
Replace air conditioning
desiccant every seven years.
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
Service and Maintenance 373
Footnotes—Maintenance
Schedule Additional Required
Services - Severe
(1) Or every two years, whichever
comes first. More frequent
passenger compartment air filter
replacement may be needed if
driving in areas with heavy traffic,
poor air quality, high dust levels,
or environmental allergens.
Passenger compartment air filter
replacement may also be needed if
there is reduced airflow, window
fogging, or odors. Your GM dealer
can help determine when to replace
the filter.
(2) Visually check all fuel and vapor
lines and hoses for proper
attachment, connection, routing, and
condition.
(3) Or as indicated by the Driver
Information Center (DIC) or
two years whichever comes first.
The fuel filter may need to be
replaced more often based on
biodiesel usage, driving in climates
with severe dust, off-road driving,
or towing a trailer for extended
periods. (4)
Or every four years, whichever
comes first. If driving in dusty
conditions, inspect the filter at each
oil change or more often as needed.
See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0288.
(5) Do not directly power wash the
transfer case and/or front/rear axle
output seals. High pressure water
can overcome the seals and
contaminate the transfer case fluid.
Contaminated fluid will decrease the
life of the transfer case and/or axles
and should be replaced.
(6) Or every five years, whichever
comes first. See Cooling System
0 290.
(7) Or every 10 years, whichever
comes first. Inspect for fraying,
excessive cracking, or damage;
replace, if needed.
(8) Replace brake fluid every five
years. See Brake Fluid 0297.
(9) Or every 12 months, whichever
comes first. See Wiper Blade
Replacement 0300.
(10) Or every 10 years, whichever
comes first. See Gas Strut(s)0302. (11)
Replace air conditioning
desiccant every seven years.
GMC Terrain/Terrain Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/-
Mexico-13556230) - 2020 - CRC - 9/4/19
420 Index
Tires (cont'd)Pressure Monitor Operation . . 324
Pressure Monitor System . . . . . 323
Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Sealant and
Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Sealant and Compressor Kit, Storing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Terminology and Definitions . . 319
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 333
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Towing Driving Characteristics . . . . . . . . 262
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 262
Recreational Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 353
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352 Traction
Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . 120
Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Trailer
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Transmission Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Fluid, Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Transportation Program, Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . 332
Universal Remote System . . . . . . 140Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Using This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
V
Vehicle Alarm System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Canadian Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 Vehicle (cont'd)
Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Identification Number (VIN) . . . 381
Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Personalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Remote Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Speed Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . 119
Vehicle Care Storing the Tire Sealantand Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . 342
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397
Ventilation, Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
W
Wait to Start Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Warning Brake System Light . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Caution and Danger . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102